30°

JUNEAU - Planning commissioners got a lesson Tuesday night on the physics of sound as they considered a proposed off-highway vehicle park at the Lower Fish Creek Rock Quarry.

City Lands Manager Heather Marlow and Rough Riders AK president James Tipps applied together to develop the North Douglas park.

But local residents say it will be too noisy for their quiet neighborhood. Some hired a consultant who declared their property values would be lowered by the park.

The commission delayed voting on the park in March so that city planners could collect more information about noise and other all-terrain vehicle ordinances.

The plan has been amended since then on the recommendation of a sound consultant. City planners suggested increasing the distance between the riding area and residential property lines and lowering the nighttime maximum permitted decibel level.

About 45 people attended Tuesday's commission meeting.

The Empire's press deadline came before the commissioners began discussing what they would do about the park. For more information, visit www.juneauempire.com or read tomorrow's Empire.